Course: Ferns
Kent Wildlife Trust
Discover how to recognise our native ferns using leaf shapes and other distinctive features.
About the event
Ferns thrive best in the secluded half-light of damp woodlands. They are particularly common in the west of Britain where they are abundant even along the hedge banks which remain damp for a large part of the year.
This course is an introduction to the basic structure of ferns and their unusual life cycle. The morning will be spent in the classroom at Tyland Barn where the main focus will be on identification, especially those features used to identify the different species. The course will start with a practical indoor introduction after which we will travel (shared transport where possible) to the south side of Maidstone to visit a few field sites, including Quarry Wood.
By the end of the day it is expected that participants:
- will feel confident in identifying most of our common woodland ferns as well as those found on rocks and stones
- will know the key differences between the major genera and species and be able to apply these to specimens found in the field. These will mostly involve details of leaf shapes and reproductive features.
The emphasis will be on the larger, frondose ferns of woodlands but we shall also consider some of the smaller ferns found on walls and overhanging streams.
Suitable for beginners and improvers.
Led by Ros Bennett, Botanist and Ecologist.
About Kent Wildlife Trust
Kent Wildlife Trust is the county’s leading conservation charity. We have over 32,000 members and over 1000 registered volunteers. We manage and protect over 9000 acres of land across more than 80 different sites and nature reserves, alongside 3 visitor centres.
We work closely with local communities, landowners and partners to protect and improve habitats in the countryside, coast and town for the benefit of the wildlife and people of Kent. We are working towards creating a better, more sustainable and wilder future.
Kent Wildlife Trust is the county’s leading conservation charity. We have over 32,000 members and over 1000 registered volunteers. We manage and protect over 9000 acres of land across more than 80 different sites and nature reserves, alongside 3 visitor centres. We work closely with local communities, landowners and partners to protect and improve habitats in the countryside, coast and town for the benefit of the wildlife and people of Kent. We are working towards creating a better, more sustainable and wilder future.
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